Man Vs Clock’s A-Z of Travels

There’s a little fad going around the internet, within the travel blog industry at the minute - ‘The A-Z of Travels.’ I see them all the time and I’m like “Maaan, another one of them bloody A-Z interviews. How annoying.” That was until I was nominated to do one mwahahaha.

So thanks to My Postcard From and No Place To Be and My Spanish Adventure for the nominations.

A: Age you went on your first international trip:

Quite late in comparison to others, I was 21 years old and I went on a World War One history tour, starting in France. It was amazing, eye-opening and free! Paid for by the Queen, as it was during my 12 weeks basic training with the armed forces (that’s a story for another time). I loved every minute of it and it got me extremely motivated to see more of the world. Also, French chicks speaking English is just hotter than the sun.

Melanie Laurent

**Edit**

Actually, I was 19 and it was a mischievous trip to Amsterdam with two of my mates from home. I obviously got lost in Melanie Laurent’s eyes when I wrote this and completely forgot about Holland. Woops!

B: Best (foreign) beer you’ve had and where:

It’s name escapes me but it was in Belgium, and it was Belgian funnily enough!

C: Cuisine (favorite):

Without a doubt, Malaysian. The mix of cultures from China and India have been extremely kind to the Malaysian’s menu. Seriously gorgeous!

D: Destinations, favorite, least favorite and why:

My most favourite destination so far, was Krakow, Poland. Everything just seemed perfect; the summer weather was glorious, the tours I took were mind-blowing, the food delicious and the people who I shared my experience with were awesome – which always helps. I really need to write more about my Europe trip!

Least favourite is the capital of my country – London. There is a famous travel quote that goes; ‘when a man is bored with London, he is bored with life.’

Really, REALLY? I am bored of life because I don’t like incredibly rude people, expense that doesn’t match value, pretension beyond belief and lots of smog??!

Yeah, I’m not a big fan of ‘the old smoke’ and wouldn’t be too bothered if I never went again.

E: Event you experienced abroad that made you say “wow”:

It has to be when I was rescued and almost killed, in Thailand.

F: Favorite mode of transportation:

I love, love, LOVE taking the train! There’s just enough room to sprawl out and catch up with some writing, or to just tune into my imagination for the forthcoming trip. I also love to stick my head out of the window (like a dog) and take in the sights. The train also provides one of my favourite hobbies; people watching. Looking at people and making up stories in my head about why they are on this particular journey, or even chatting to them and finding out.

G: Greatest feeling while traveling:

It has to be the feeling of freedom. Knowing that I am finding out about the world with first-hand knowledge, carrying all my possessions that I own on my back is so liberating and I never forget how lucky I am to experience that. I remind myself every day and am very thankful for it. I’m only human and I miss my family, but international calling is cheap enough ans once I know everyone is ok, I’m pretty content with my life.

H: Hottest place you’ve traveled to:

Langkawi was in the 40′s in November and I managed just fine. I handle sun extremely well for a man from the North East of England. I think my mother must have had an affair with a Mediterranean chap, 28 years ago.

I: Incredible service you’ve experienced and where:

If there’s any country the world should try to duplicate when it comes to service – it’s Germany! They may be lacking in the smile department, but I’ll forgive them because they just get shit done. There is no fannying about, they just get from A to B, without making any dramas or excuses.

I’m the worse human ever when I’m hungry, but the Germans have never had me waiting long for food. Germany - gut gemacht!

J: Journey that took the longest:

London to Kuala Lumpur took 16 hours, and it felt like 16 days because I was so excited!

K: Keepsake from your travels:

I keep a picture of my Nana in my Kindle. I sometimes forget it’s there and it makes me smile every time I see it

L: Let-down sight, why and where:

Oh dear!

I took a Schindler’s tour in Krakow and it was amazing… that was until the end. Schindler’s factory was the final destination, and it had been converted into a block of office units. Just like my virginity – I was looking so forward to it with great expectations, for so long and I felt so disappointed when it finally happened!

M: Moment where you fell in love with travel:

The moment when my foot stepped off the plane in Malaysia. This was the moment that I had been dreaming of for so many years and I even shed a happy man-tear. I’ll never forget the elation and euphoria.

N: Nicest hotel you’ve stayed in:

To end the chapter of an 8-month relationship with a lovely local lass, on a nicer note, we booked up at ‘Slaley Hall’ in the North-East of England. This place was VERY swanky! I was easily the lowest earner in the whole place that night haha.

Find more hotels at lowest rate guarantee with Easytobook.com.

O: Obsession—what are you obsessed with taking pictures of while traveling?:

Dogs! I just love dogs, they are the best things ever in the world. End of!

This little beauty turned up to say hello, in Kuala Pelis

P: Passport stamps, how many and from where?

Malaysia and Thailand, so much more to follow Have been to a few places in Europe, but UK citizens don’t get stamps for that.

Q: Quirkiest attraction you’ve visited and where:

Sorry to let you down, but nothing of quirkiness has stood out (yet) on my journey. But this purple man who followed me around York was pretty random!

R: Recommended sight, event or experience:

Not the funnest choice, but I highly recommend that people experience Auschwitz 1 and 2. It’s hard to put into words what you feel when you visit, but it’ll never leave you. I believe we should experience everything that life has to offer, as well as the beauty – some times we need to feel other people’s pain, or even our own.

It can’t always be sunshine and rainbows.

S: Splurge; something you have no problem forking over money for while traveling:

Good food, without a doubt. I would happily sleep on the hardest mattress, or even a floor or couch if it means I can eat mouth-watering food.

T: Touristy thing you’ve done:

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Tiger Kingdom in Chiang Mai. I’ve wanted to get close to a tiger for as long as I remember, my Mother and I have an obsession with them. I’ll be writing about that experience soon, but I have just uploaded the pictures on the Man Vs Clock Fan Page.

U: Unforgettable travel memory:

It has to be when I missed my train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, and the guy who worked there raced across town with me on his motorcyle to make sure I got on my train. He also gave me a good luck Buddha charm, which has seemingly give me good fortune for keeping my premium on my long stay travel insurance! Truly unforgettable travel memory that always puts a smile on my face.

V: Visas, how many and for where?

Two, Malaysia and Thailand.

W: Wine, best glass of wine while traveling and where?

Red wine is my favourite alcoholic beverage by a country mile. When my Argentinian friend came to visit me, we shared the one and only: Argentine Malbec. I plan to go over that side of the world and to explore the wine’s of South America.

X: eXcellent view and from where?:

Whilst going full-throttle on a jet ski in Malaysia, I decided to put on the breaks and take in my surroundings. I was not disappointed. I found Langkawi as a place, far too touristy but out there in the middle of the ocean with nature….Oh MAN it’s just delightful.

Y: Years spent traveling?:

About 5 months in total, I’m a late bloomer. Ask me in four years and seven months and I’m pretty sure the answer will be “six.”

Z: Zealous sports fans and where?

I am yet to see any other sports fans, share the raw passion and emotion that my fellow fans show for Newcastle United! Football is big in England, but it’s HUGE in the North East. It’s more like an extreme religion and us Newcastle United fan’s are completely obsessed with our club.

Thanks for reading my A-Z of Travels. I nominate the following tremendous travel bloggers:

. Ian from Where Sidewalks End

. Julia from Homeless and Confused

. Lauren from Never Ending Footsteps

. Johnny from One Step 4 Ward

. Marie-Eve from Eurotrip Tips